Operations Analyst

Job Title: Operations Analyst

Division: Weir Minerals (HBF)

Location: Port Elizabeth

Onsite

Purpose of Role: The Operations Analyst is responsible for controlling and analyzing cost opportunities on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to improve operational efficiency across HBF. The role’s primary mission is to continuously reduce production cost (R/kg) by turning plant data into actionable insights, partnering with Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain and Finance to eliminate waste, improve yield, optimize BoM mix, and stabilize process performance.

Why choose Weir:

Be part of a global organization dedicated to building a better future: At Weir, we are committed to constant reinvention, quick adaptation, and finding better, faster, and more sustainable ways to access the resources the world needs to thrive. Each of us is challenged to do the best work of our lives, making it an exciting journey.

An opportunity to grow your own way: The dynamic environment at Weir offers numerous opportunities to take on new challenges, explore new areas, learn, progress, and excel. There is no set career path; instead, everyone is supported and given the freedom to tailor their own career and achieve their best work.

Feel empowered to be yourself and belong: Weir is a welcoming, inclusive place, where each individual’s contribution is recognized and all employees are encouraged to innovate, collaborate and be themselves. We continually focus on people and their wellbeing. We believe in fairness and choose to be honest, transparent and authentic in everything we do.

Key Responsibilities:

• Safety First: Demonstrate 100% commitment to our zero harm behaviors in support of our drive towards developing a world class safety culture.
• Daily control & visibility: Publish daily/shift level R/kg dashboards by furnace/cell/line; flag abnormal variances (yield loss, scrap spikes, energy, and consumables overruns) and trigger short interval control with area owners. Validate data quality (weighbridge entries, SAP confirmations, scrap codes, rework postings) to ensure accurate cost signals.

• Weekly cost opportunity analysis: Run variance analysis vs. standards (BoM, routings, labour, energy, consumables) and quantify recovery opportunities. Model and advise on BoM mix effects (e.g., % of 27% Cr scrap in melts) on R/kg; socialize insights with Production and Procurement for weekly plan alignment, reflecting guidance shared in (discussion on R/Kg impacts of volume and BoM mix). Coordinate kaizen funnels for the top cost drivers (yield, scrap, rework, changeover, OEE), and track savings realization.
• Monthly performance bridge & governance: Prepare the month end R/kg bridge (actual vs. plan) for BRM/leadership reviews; reconcile to Finance and ensure consistency with the KPI stack used in WHBF BRM Report - Aug'25/WHBF BRM Report - Sept'25. Maintain standard cost updates (data inputs to Finance), recommend revisions where process changes structurally reduce cost. Integrate sustainability/waste economics (e.g., foundry sand disposal cost per ton, recyclables rebates per kg) into the total cost picture, leveraging information patterns seen in 202503 Sustainability Report Weir HBF.
• Systems, data & automation: Build and maintain Power BI models and robust Excel tools for R/kg tracking and variance diagnostics; implement standard work for data refresh and report distribution. Ensure analytics and master data remain aligned with SAP/MRP and BoM/Routings requirements applicable to HBF operations, consistent with change impacts highlighted for HBF in 01 High Level Change Impact Assessment Report Apr 2022.
• Cross functional partnering: Work hands on with Pattern Shop, Melting, Moulding, Fettling, Maintenance, Quality, Logistics/Stores and Procurement to translate insights into practical actions. Support policy deployment and CI projects; feed BRM with crisp, decision ready visuals and commentary aligned to the HBF cadence in WHBF BRM Report - Aug'25/WHBF BRM Report - Sept'2025

Job Knowledge/Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Operations Research, Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• Data tooling (Power BI, SQL basics) and SAP competency relevant to HBF processes per High Level Change Impact Assessment Report Apr 2022.
• Two to three years in heavy manufacturing/foundry or similar costintensive operations; handson exposure to melting/moulding/fettling value streams.
• Strong command of cost accounting concepts (standards vs. actuals, contribution margin, variance analysis).
• Proficiency in SAP/MRP, BoM/Routings, production postings; advanced Excel and Power BI for modelling and visualization.
• Experience driving Lean/CI (kaizen, value stream mapping, SMED, root cause analysis).
• Comfortable working cross functionally; able to distil complex data into clear actions and narratives for BRM.

Founded in 1871, Weir is a world leading engineering business with a purpose to make mining operations smarter, more efficient and sustainable. Thanks to Weir’s technology, our customers can produce essential metals and minerals using less energy, water and waste at lower cost. With the increasing need for metals and minerals for climate change solutions, Weir colleagues are playing their part in powering a low carbon future. We are a global family of 11,000 uniquely talented people in over 60 counties, inspiring each other to do the best work of our lives.

For additional information about what it is like to work at Weir, please visit our Career Page and LinkedIn Life Page.

Weir is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate.

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